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A plurality of struts are coupled together by a plurality of connection systems for creating a geodesic dome skeletal structure. Each connection system includes a single first connection member including a center body portion having a plurality of cylindrical fingers extending therefrom and a plurality of second connection members. The number of second connection members employed at a specific connection point is proportional to the number of fingers on the first connection member. Each second connection member includes a tubular housing having an inner semi-circular portion mounted along an inner circumference for mating with an outwardly extending semi-circular portion of each cylindrical finger. The mated semi-circular portions form an interface for frictionally locking the tubular strut to the connection system between the first and second connection members.

Inventor: Robert W. Davidson
Primary Examiner: Kevin McDermott
Current U.S. Classification: 52/81.1; 52/81.2; 52/81.3; 403/171; 403/174; 403/176
International Classification: E04B 708

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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US3018858Aug 26, 1959Jan 30, 1962SHELTER FRAME
US3137371Nov 20, 1961Jun 16, 1964BUILDING STRUCTURE
US3359694Aug 16, 1965Dec 26, 1967DOMICAL BUILDING STRUCTURE
US3710806Oct 27, 1971Jan 1, 1973ERECT ABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE
US4009543May 15, 1975Mar 1, 1977Geodesic dome
US4187613Aug 24, 1978Feb 12, 1980Geodesic Shelters, Inc.Jig for precise measurement of panels for geodesic
US4542759Sep 22, 1982Sep 24, 1985Portable shelter
US4569165Dec 20, 1983Feb 11, 1986University of SurreyStructural connections
US4703594Apr 22, 1986Nov 3, 1987Spherical building structure
US4729197Jun 13, 1986Mar 8, 1988Geodesic dome and method of making
US4998552Sep 12, 1989Mar 12, 1991T. A. Pelsue CompanyGeodetic tent structure

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US6658800Oct 4, 2001Dec 9, 2003Polygon-shaped structural panel and construction method for geodesic domes
US6887009Oct 1, 2002May 3, 2005Conservatek Industries, Inc.Cylindrical joint and reticulated frame structure
US6996942Jan 30, 2003Feb 14, 2006Constructing geodesic domes
US7063481Aug 13, 2003Jun 20, 2006Connector block for modular construction and object fabricated therefrom
US7434359Aug 17, 2004Oct 14, 2008Constructing geodesic domes with panels
US7900405Sep 20, 2010Mar 8, 2011Spherical dome
US7921613Jun 11, 2008Apr 12, 2011Terraced structured land joint and assembly system
US8100814Mar 29, 2007Jan 24, 2012Kompan A/SClambering device
USD477527Sep 27, 2001Jul 22, 2003Coupling
USD630930Mar 3, 2009Jan 18, 2011Multi-spoke geodesic hub

Claims

1. A universal connection system for coupling an elongated tubular member to a connection point comprising:

a) a first connection member having at least one cylindrical finger and an outwardly extending semi-circular portion, the at least one cylindrical finger having a first end and a center channel formed therethrough defining an inner circumference, the outwardly extending semi-circular portion located at the at least one cylindrical finger first end, an outer surface of the first end perpendicular to an axis of the center channel,
b) a second connection member comprising a tubular housing having a first and second end, an inner circumference, a center axis and an inner semi-circular portion mounted to the inner circumference along the center axis proximal to the second end,
c) the second connection member positioned around the elongated tubular member, the second connection member first end engaging the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger such that the outwardly extending semi-circular portion of the first connection member mates with the inner semi-circular portion of the second connection member tubular housing forming an interface of the universal connection system, and
d) the universal connection system interface having an inner circumference substantially equal to an outer circumference of the elongated tubular member thereby providing frictional engagement of the elongated tubular member between the first and second connection members.

2. The universal connection system of claim 1, wherein the elongated tubular member has a channel formed therethrough defining an inner circumference substantially equal to the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger inner circumference.

3. The universal connection system of claim 1, wherein the elongated tubular member has opposing ends, each end having an outer surface perpendicular to a center axis of the elongated tubular member, the outer surface of one of the opposing ends abutting the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger first end outer surface.

4. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger further includes an outer circumference, the outwardly extending semi-circular portion having a partial outer circumference continuously formed with the at least one cylindrical finger outer circumference.

5. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the first connection member has a plurality of cylindrical fingers.

6. The connection system of claim 5, wherein the first connection member further includes a center body portion from which the plurality of cylindrical fingers extend.

7. The connection system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of cylindrical fingers are spaced at equal angles from one another.

8. The connection system of claim 7, wherein six cylindrical fingers are employed.

9. The connection system of claim 8, wherein a plurality of first and second connection members are employed for coupling a plurality of elongated tubular members forming a geodesic dome skeletal structure.

10. A universal connection system for coupling an elongated tubular member to a connection point, the tubular member having a center channel formed therethrough, an inner circumference of the center channel, opposing ends and a center axis, each end having an outer surface perpendicular to the center axis, the universal connection system comprising:

a) a first connection member having at least one cylindrical finger and an outwardly extending semi-circular portion, the at least one cylindrical finger having a first end and a center channel formed therethrough defining an inner circumference, the outwardly extending semi-circular portion located at the at least one cylindrical finger first end, an outer surface of the first end perpendicular to an axis of the center channel,
b) a second connection member comprising a tubular housing having a first and second end, an inner circumference, a center axis and an inner semi-circular portion mounted to the inner circumference along the center axis proximal to the second end,
c) the second connection member positioned around the elongated tubular member, the outer surface of one of the elongated tubular members opposing ends abutting the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger first end outer surface such that the tubular member center channel is axially aligned with the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger center channel, the second connection member first end engaging the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger such that the outwardly extending semi-circular portion of the first connection member mates with the inner semi-circular portion of the second connection member tubular housing forming an interface of the universal connection system,
d) the universal connection system interface having an inner circumference substantially equal to an outer circumference of the elongated tubular member thereby providing frictional engagement of the elongated tubular between the first and second connection members, and
e) the elongated tubular member inner circumference substantially equal to the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger inner circumference.

11. The connection system of claim 10, wherein the first connection member at least one cylindrical finger further includes an outer circumference, the outwardly extending semi-circular portion having a partial outer circumference continuously formed with the at least one cylindrical finger outer circumference.

12. The connection system of claim 10, wherein the first connection member has a plurality of cylindrical fingers.

13. The connection system of claim 12, wherein the first connection member further includes a center body portion from which the plurality of cylindrical fingers extend.

14. The connection system of claim 13, wherein the center body portion is substantially circular.

15. The connection system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of cylindrical fingers are spaced at equal angles from one another.

16. The connection system of claim 13, wherein six cylindrical fingers are employed.

17. The connection system of claim 16, wherein a plurality of first and second connection members are employed for coupling a plurality of elongated tubular members forming a geodesic dome skeletal structure.

18. A universal connection system for coupling a plurality of tubular struts together for forming a geodesic dome skeletal structure, the universal connection system comprising:

a) a plurality of first and second connection members,
b) each first connection member comprising a center body portion and a plurality of cylindrical fingers extending therefrom, each cylindrical finger having a first end, a center channel formed therethrough defining an inner circumference and an outwardly extending semi-circular portion located at the first end, an outer surface of the first end perpendicular to an axis of the center channel,
c) each second connection member comprising a tubular housing having a first and second end, an inner circumference, a center axis and an inner semi-circular portion mounted to the inner circumference along the center axis proximal to the second end,
d) a single second connection member positioned around a single tubular strut for engaging a single cylindrical finger of a single first connection member from the second connection member second end such that the first connection member outwardly extending semi-circular portion mates with the second connection tubular housing inner semi-circular portion forming an interface of the universal connection system, and
e) the universal connection system interface having an inner circumference substantially equal to an outer circumference of the single tubular strut thereby providing frictional engagement of the strut between the first connection member cylindrical finger and the single second connection member.

19. The universal connection system of claim 18, further comprising the center body portion having a cavity formed therewithin, a threaded aperture formed in a bottom side of the center body portion at a generally center point and a threaded cap for engaging the threaded aperture.

20. The universal connection system of claim 18, wherein polyvinyl chloride is employed for the plurality of tubular struts and plurality of first and second connection members.

Drawings